Have you ever wanted to see a bird up close and in the hand, tag a monarch or learn how to catch dragonflies and damselflies?  Join us as we welcome nature experts to showcase all the ways that you can get involved and be a part of the scientific community! Watch Riveredge Nature Center bird bander, Jana, up close, join members of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society to learn about these flying creatures and how to catch them, tag a Monarch Butterfly at the beginning of its journey to Mexico and more!  Wisconsin DNR bat ambassadors and International Crane Foundation will be on site for programs and hands on activities related to bats and cranes!  Learn about local bird clubs, the e-Bird citizen monitoring program, and join us for a special story time where you can meet the author of the children’s book “Lights Out”.  This event is great for all ages and is a great way to take your curiosity about nature and turn it in to meaningful scientific data.

Schedule:

2-2:45pm: Members of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society will deliver a presentation about the kinds of dragonflies we have in Wisconsin and how they live their lives.

2:45-3:30pm: Enjoy a short dragonfly and damselfly hike to look for some of these beautiful and interesting insects.

3:30pm: Join us for a special book reading and signing by local author Jessica Stremer of her book “Lights Out”. Based on the real-life Lights Out movement, this inspirational picture book shows how even the smallest of actions, like flipping a switch, can make a big difference in helping migrating birds. Books we be available for purchase.

4:00pm: WDNR Bat Ambassadors- explore the ecology and biology of bats with Wisconsin Master Naturalist Bat Ambassador Christa Trushinsky.  Bats are amazingly diverse and fascinating creatures!  Visitors will enjoy learning about the ecological importance of bats and how people can help bats prosper in their own backyards!

Ongoing 2-6pm

• Watch Master Bird Bander, Jana Gedymin, and Riveredge Nature Center staff as they use mist nets to capture birds.  Measurements are taken and a band will be put on before birds are released.  There is no better way to see and study birds than in the hand!
• Join DNR educators to catch and tag monarchs on their way to Mexico
• Rock River Coalition Staff challenge you to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates
• International Crane Foundation- Crane banding and radio telemetry – Kids will be banded like cranes (colored paper bracelets) and then given a data sheet to fill out and record their observations of other banded cranes (other kids). Use a receiver and yagi to show how telemetry works and do a simple hunt for a radio transmitter.
• Horicon Marsh Bird Club and e-Bird- learn about local bird clubs and how e-Bird is utilized in everyday birding.
• Snapshot WI- Grab a brochure to learn more about this volunteer based project for wildlife monitoring.
• Stop by and visit our Wisconsin DNR Bat Ambassadors at their booth, and learn more about the Wisconsin Bat Program and how you can help bats in Wisconsin.

No registration is required.  The Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center is located at N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI.  For additional information please contact Liz Herzmann at 920-210-9054 or elizabeth.herzmann@wisconsin.gov.